Method for producing printed textiles for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method for producing printed textiles for motor vehicles, the textiles having a polyester-based top material and a bottom material, introduces at least a thickener and a UV absorber into the top material in a foulard process. The top material is dried, a digital printing process is carried out on the dried top material, and the printed top material is laminated with the bottom material. Dyes are applied such that the dyes are especially abrasion resistant. This is achieved in that, in the foulard process, a hydrophilizing agent is introduced into the top material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Phase Application ofInternational Application PCT/EP2014/001067 filed Apr. 22, 2014 andclaims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German PatentApplication 10 2013 006 763.4 filed Apr. 19, 2013 the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for producing printed textiles formotor vehicles, wherein the textiles consist of a polyester-based topmaterial and a bottom material and in the case of which at least athickener and a UV absorber are introduced into the top material in afoulard process, the top material is dried, the digital printing processis carried out on the dried top material, and the printed top materialis laminated with the bottom material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

EP 2 281 940 A1 describes a printing method on a washable fabric, forexample. EP 0 965 681 A1 describes the production of a printed polyestertextile, in the case of which the polyester material is pretreated withcertain products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of improving a method for producingprinted textiles of the above-mentioned type, so that the textiles andthe dyes printed thereon, are especially abrasion resistant.

According to the invention a method is provided for producing printedtextiles for motor vehicles. The textiles have a polyester-based topmaterial and a bottom material. At least a thickener and a UV absorberare introduced into the top material in a foulard process. The topmaterial is dried and a digital printing process is carried out on thedried top material. The printed top material is laminated with thebottom material. The colorless ink is applied to the top material in theprinting process when applying the ink

In a method for producing printed textiles for motor vehicles, whereinthe textiles consist of a polyester-based top material and a bottommaterial and in which at least a thickener and a UV absorber areintroduced into the top material in a foulard process, the top materialis dried, the digital printing process is carried out on the dried topmaterial, and the printed top material is laminated with the bottommaterial, provision is made according to the invention for colorless inkto be added to the top material in the printing process when adding theink The colorless ink, also identified as “blind-ink”, is preferablyapplied simultaneously with the colored ink by means of a separate printhead. The penetration of the colored ink is thus increased due to“gravitation”.

The colorless ink preferably has the same or at least a very similarviscosity as the colored ink The colorless ink also has pigments, butcolorless pigments. The colorless ink is used in particular inconnection with bright dyes. Preferably, dark dyes are applied withoutadding colorless ink In another preferred embodiment, at least the samequantity of colorless ink as colored ink is applied for some brighthues. Preferably, more than twice or more than three-times as muchcolorless ink than colored ink is applied. Across all dyes, the ratio ofcolorless ink as compared to colored inks is preferably at least 20% andmaximally 50%, in particular between 30% and 40%.

Preferably, a hydrophilizing agent is introduced into the top materialin the foulard process. The top material, which consists substantiallyof polyester or preferably completely of polyester, respectively, tothus be designed to be hydrophilic, thus hygroscopic. The absorption ofthe dyes or inks in the subsequent printing process is improved throughthis. Preferably, a dispersion of hydrophilic polymers comprisingfunctional polysiloxanes is used for this purpose. For example, aproduct, which has this effect, is the product ULTRAPHIL by Huntsman.

In another preferred embodiment, a corona or plasma treatment is carriedout prior to carrying out the printing process. The surface of the topmaterial is thereby either pretreated using the corona method, which isconsidered to be a physical pretreatment by means of high voltage. Inthe plasma treatment, it is preferably to use an atmospheric pressureplasma. It is produced as a highly ionized gas and is used on thesurface of the top material. The surface is activated through this. As aresult, this leads to a better adhesion of the dyes, which are appliedlater. The surface tension is reduced. As a result, an improvedwettability of the top material and a higher penetration depth of theinks is achieved. The abrasion resistance of the applied inks and/ordyes is increased as well. Preferably, the corona or plasma treatment iscarried out prior to carrying out the foulard process.

In a further preferred further development of the invention, the topmaterial is subjected to an enzyme treatment prior to carrying out thefoulard process. Preferably, such an enzyme treatment is carried outprior to carrying out the foulard process. The use of the productTEXAZYM PES by INOTEX spol. s.r.o. from the Czech Republic is possiblehere, for example.

The method and the further developments can be carried out incombination with one another. In particular, the combination of thecorona or plasma treatment of the top material and the use of thecolorless ink in the printing process in combination with one another ispreferred. In addition, the combination of the enzyme treatment with thecolorless inks is possible as well. The combination of the enzymetreatment and the corona or plasma treatment is also an option forimproving the printing result, in particular with regard to the abrasionresistance.

Preferably, the used top material consists either completely ofpolyester or of polyester with natural yarns or artificial yarns.

The top material is thereby intended for automobile interior designproducts. The textiles have a top material and a bottom material,wherein the bottom material is typically provided with a foam or foammaterial. Preferably, a deaerating agent is also introduced into the topmaterial in the foulard process. For example, the deaerating agent cancontain alcohol, it can in particular be based on alcohol. Preferably, awetting agent is additionally also introduced. Preferably, it can alsobe a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols. For example, theproduct LYOPRINT AIR by Huntsman Advanced Materials LLC, USA, issuitable here. The thickening agent is preferably also introducedsimultaneously in the foulard process. This prevents the running of theink at a later point in time. This can be a polyacrylate, a guar or analginate, for example. A running of the ink is prevented therein. Forexample, the UV absorber is a traizine, in particular anO-hydroxyphenyl-triazine composition. As products, THERMACOL MP byHuntsman is possible here for the thickener and UV-Fast P by Huntsman ispossible as UV absorber, for example.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing processis carried out using dispersion dyes and a drying takes placeimmediately thereafter. It is preferably thereby that the drying iscarried out in a clamping of the top material. The drying is preferablycarried out using hot air. In the context of the application of theprinting dyes, the above-described introduction of the colorless ink(blind ink) can be carried out at this location shortly before applyingthe printing inks.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a fixing step, inresponse to which the ink is fixed, is carried out after the printingprocess. This is also referred to as a steaming or preferably as asteaming process, wherein a treatment with steam is carried out at over100 degrees Celsius, preferably 180 degrees Celsius. The top material isthereby preferably clamped on a clamping frame. In the alternative, adrying can also take place in a hot flue. In the alternative, this stepcan also take place by means of a calender equipment or a machinecalender.

Preferably, the top material is also washed and dried in two furthersteps after the printing process and the fixing step. In the washingprocess, caustic soda or hydrosulphide and a dispersant or a detergentcomprising tensides is preferably used. The thickening agent and unfixeddyes are washed out by means of the used detergents. The abrasionresistance is further improved through this. The top material is triedin the subsequent drying step. Preferably, this takes place on aclamping frame.

The method will be explained in more detail below with reference to thesole figure of the drawing.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing aspects of the method for producingprinted textiles for motor vehicles

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In step 1, the top material 2 is clamped onto rollers 3 and is washedand/or rinsed in a container 4. A drying on a clamping frame 5 takesplace in the same clamping on the rollers 3. A corona or plasmatreatment takes place in step 8, which is only illustrated as block 9herein, in which the surface of the top material 2 is treated by meansof ionized gas or by applying high voltage, whereby the wettability isincreased. The foulard process takes place in the next step 10, which isalso identified as slogging or squeezing. The top material 2 is therebysqueezed between rollers 12 in a container 11. The container 11 containsa liquid 14 comprising additives, which are applied to the top material2 through this. Provision is made in the liquid 14 in particular for athickening agent, a UV absorber and a deaerating agent. The thickeningagent prevents the running of the ink This can be polyacrylate or guar,for example. This is also referred to as a steaming or preferably as asteaming process. The UV absorber improves the long-life cycle of thetop material 2 in response to the UV irradiation. For example, aproduct, which is based on an 0-hydroxyphenyl-triazine composition, canbe used here. In addition, a hydrophilizing agent is also contained inthe liquid 14, which is introduced into the top material 2 in step 10.The top material 2, which consists of polyester, thus becomeshydrophilic and better absorbs the dyes, which are applied at a laterpoint in time, in particular the ink

In step 8, a pretreatment of the top material 2 with enzymes can alsotake place as an alternative or as additional independent step. Inresponse to the treatment with enzymes, this preferably takes place inan independent process, for example in a dying machine or also by meansof a foulard treatment. The actual printing process takes place insubsequent step 20. The top material 2 is clamped onto rollers 23 and isthereby printed digitally in step 21. A “blind ink”, a colorless ink,can be applied thereby, so as to improve the wetting. The actualprinting also takes place simultaneously in step 21. A drying with hotair takes place in the block 22. This takes place immediatelysubsequently in the same clamping of the top material 2. A fixing steptakes place in step 30. The top material 2 is clamped onto rollers 33and is guided through a steamer. The top material 2 is treated withsteam at 180 degrees Celsius here, so that the ink is fixed thereby. Thesteaming equipment is identified with 34 here. A clamping onto rollers44 takes place again in a further step 40, wherein the top material 2 isguided through a container 41, which contains caustic soda orhydrosulphide or sugar and a dispersant or a detergent comprisingtensides. The thickening agent is rinsed out here and unfixed dyes arerinsed out. The abrasion resistance is further improved through this. Inthe same clamping of the top material 2, a drying on clamping framesalso takes place in a step 42. A laminating of the top material 2 withthe bottom material and the foam or foam material to the printed textiletakes place in a subsequent step 50. This textile is then cut to sizeand is sized correctly to fit the individual uses. For example, seatcovers for motor vehicles for motor vehicles can then be made from orinterior lining the textile.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

1. A method for producing printed textiles for motor vehicles, whereinthe textiles have a polyester-based top material and a bottom materialthe method comprising the steps of: introducing at least a thickener anda UV absorber into the top material in a foulard process; drying the topmaterial; carrying out a digital printing process on the dried topmaterial; laminating the printed top material with the bottom material;applying colorless ink to the top material in the digital printingprocess when applying colored ink to the top material in the digitalprinting process.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein ahydrophilizing agent is introduced into the top material in the foulardprocess.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a corona or plasmatreatment is carried out prior to carrying out the digital printingprocess.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the top material issubjected to an enzyme treatment prior to carrying out the foulardprocess.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a deaerating agentis also introduced into the top material in the foulard process.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein a wetting agent is also introducedinto the top material in the foulard process.
 7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the digital printing process is carried out usingdispersion dyes and a drying takes place immediately thereafter.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein a fixing step, in response to whichthe ink is fixed, is carried out after the digital printing process. 9.The method according to claim 1, wherein the top material is washed anddried after the digital printing process.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the colorless ink is applied simultaneously with thecolored ink by means of a separate print head.
 11. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the colorless ink has the same or a very similarviscosity as the colored ink, which is added in the digital printingprocess.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the colorless inkhas colorless pigments.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein atleast the same quantity of colorless ink as colored ink is applied forsome bright hues.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein, acrossall dyes, the ratio of colorless ink as compared to colored inks ispreferably at least 20% and maximally 50%.
 15. The method according toclaim 1, wherein, across all dyes, a ratio of colorless ink as comparedto colored inks is between 30% and 40%.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, wherein more than twice as much colorless ink as colored ink isapplied for some bright hues.
 17. The method according to claim 1,wherein more than three-times as much colorless ink than colored ink isapplied for some bright hues.